NORTH ADAMS — When Halloween rolled around in 2024, the MCLA men's soccer team did not get any treats. Finishing one point out of the playoffs will make a team feel that way. "I feel good. We had a great year, but just not in conference," MCLA coach Adam Hildabrand said. "Taking it to a lot of teams, taking some real powerhouses, scoring some goals and playing great soccer. You have to win games in conference, there's no way around it." In 2024, the Trailblazers finished tied for sixth with Mass. Maritime, but a 2-0 loss to the Buccaneers in the regular season was the difference between playing in the postseason or finishing up. "[Last year is] definitely on the seniors' minds. We have three this year," said midfielder Marcos Lopez, one of those seniors. "I think it's everybody coming in with a new mentality and just pushing everyone forward." Last year, the Trailblazers were 2-4-1 in MASCAC and 7-8-2 overall. They come into 2025 as the No. 8 team in the now, nine-team MASCAC. Anna Maria is the ninth team in the conference, as it announced it was joining back in 2023. In the 2024-25 season, Anna Maria was an affiliate member of the MASCAC hockey conference. MCLA will unveil its 2025 squad officially next Friday, when the Trailblazers host Norwich at 4 p.m. The Trailblazers and the Cadets are 1-1 in their history, and they haven't met since 2013. There are 19 underclassmen on the MCLA roster, 11 of them are first-years. "I think they're adjusting pretty well," said MCLA forward Jacob Malburg of the newcomers. "There's a lot of guys with a lot of quality coming in prepared and ready to play, just like the rest of us." Five of the first years on the MCLA roster played high school soccer in the city of Pittsfield. Three of the first years played for Pittsfield High School. Forward Kyle Cardoso along with midfielders Gustavo de Oliveira and Daniel Mosquera are members of Hildabrand's squad. They are joined by Taconic alumni Mario Bonilla and Andres Toapanta. Both of them are forwards. "It's really nice," said Cardoso, who was asked about being with eight other county players on the team. "It's easy to fit in with everybody around. Me, Gustavo and Danny have that chemistry built in, so coming here to practice, it's almost like we're back at PHS." Cardoso, a multi-sport athlete at Pittsfield, said things have gone well in practice, with each training session at a high-tempo. Hildabrand said that Cardoso could see time at the No. 9, or center-forward spot, where Traizen Griffith played last year. Griffith, who transferred to Boston University because of a major, had seven goals and five assists last season. "He's such a great kid, good family, and he's so athletic," the MCLA coach said of his likely starter at striker. "I think he's a true 9. I've converted people. He's taller, he's physical and usually when you get a 9, a kid from high school, it's not just about you going and scoring goals. Sometimes, it's about you just getting the ball, laying it off and then we build up play until we get it into the box to you. He already does that. There's no education there." "Just getting used to the competition here at the college level," said Cardoso. "I think I can definitely fit in and I have the players around me to do what I need to do to get the ball in the net." One of those players was his PHS sidekick de Oliveira. "It's just so easy" to be back with Cardoso, de Oliveira said. "I feel like I'm in high school, but in college, soccer is totally different. The chemistry is already there. I've already seen so much improvement from the high school season. "We just want to win championships like we did in high school. That's why we came here." For his part, Hildabrand has the two of them in similar positions to what they did playing for Pittsfield coach Ryan Wanek, who was a player under Hildabrand at MCLA. "Gustavo plays just behind him, exactly the way they played in high school. They have a telepathic understanding and a language of their own," the MCLA coach said. "They're like twins, the way they talk to each other. Gustavo loves the game. He's always talking to people how he wants the ball or how he wants to play the ball and where he wants people to run. He's got a great energy about him. He's tall and lanky, and skillful. People are going to be really impressed by him." This is Hildabrand's 18th season as a head coach at MCLA. He played for MCLA and MASCAC Hall of Famer Ron Shewcraft, and graduated in 2000. The veteran coach said he's a bit more concerned about the back end of the MCLA formations. Defender Michael Smith, a second-team All-MASCAC selection a year ago, is out with an injury. In goal, the Trailblazers will need to replace standout keeper Ryan Taylor. Taylor was 6-6-1 last year with a 1.98 goals-against average. With Taylor having graduated, the Trailblazers will turn to Oliver LeLacheur to start the season. LeLacheur is a junior from Medford. He played in four games last year and started two of them. He had a 2.02 goals-against average. "He had an amazing year, Ryan Taylor. He stood on his head," said Hildabrand. "He had an understudy who's here, Oliver LeLacheur. He's got some good size and he's bided his time well. He's different than Ryan because Ryan was flashy with diving saves and drop kicks that were like lasers to forwards. Oliver will be more steady, consistent and more of a presence physically." After the home opener against Norwich, MCLA will be at SUNY Poly on Aug. 31, and will open MASCAC play at Framingham State on Sept. 6. Salem State is the preseason favorite to win the MASCAC tournament title. The Vikings had 61 points and four first-place votes. Bridgewater State also had four first-place votes and was only two points behind Salem. Westfield State had the ninth first-place vote and had 53 points. "Salem got a bunch of transfer recruits, they were voted to finish first, and Bridgewater will always be good because of where they're at and how many people live in that area," Hildabrand said. "Anna Maria, being new, they play by different rules. They brought in all these internationals. It's different than playing against another state school. They have a different set of admission standards. I think it's going to be competitive. "I think hopefully, it creates some parity. I believe we can beat anybody on a day. We don't have wiggle room to not be at our best." MASCAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL First place votes in parentheses 1. Salem State (4) 61 points; 2. Bridgewater State (4) 59; 3. Westfield State (1) 53; 4. Fitchburg State 40; 5. Anna Maria 35; 6. Worcester State 27; 7. Framingham State 19; 8. MCLA 18; 9. Mass. Maritime 17.